Molded receptacle



Sept. 10, 1968 c. H. BESSETT MOLDED RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 22. 1966 Sept. 10, 1968 c. H. BESSETT MOLDED RECEPTACLE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22. 1966 l 13 27 az 61M (WM M290 United StatesPatent 3,400,873 MOLDED RECEPTACLE Clifford H. Bessett, South Holland,Ill., assignor to Packaging Corporation of America, Evanston, Ill., acorporation of Delaware Filed July 22, 1966, Ser. No. 567,277 4 Claims.(Cl. 229-25) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A molded receptacle foraccommodating a fragile product. The molded receptacle includes a pairof hingedly connected complemental sections which, when in superposedrelation, accommodate the product therebetween. Each section is providedwith flange means which extends from a product supporting surface andcauses the accommodated product and any portion of the surface to bespaced from a predetermined reference plane engaged by the flange means.

Background of the invention In the packaging of fragile articles, suchas ice cream cones and the like, extreme difficulty has been encounteredin preventing breakage or damage to the accommodated product duringhandling of the package therefor. In an effort to minimize suchbreakage, hand packing of the product has oftentimes been required. Sucha packing method is not only time-consuming and expensive but frequentlyinvolves sanitary problems as well.

Normally a large number of ice cream cones are arranged in stacked ornested relation and then placed into an elongated tube-like carton. Theshape and size of such cartons render same awkward to handle, carry, orstore, and therefore the cartons are susceptible to knocks or abusivetreatment with injurious effect on the contents.

Furthermore, with the conventional elongated tubular cartons, thefragile contents thereof are free to rattle and slide therein and as thecontents are depleted through consumption, sliding of the contentswithin the carton becomes more pronounced.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a receptacle forfragile articles that avoids the aforenoted shortcomings which besetprior structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a receptacle forfragile articles which enables the receptacle to be readily loaded withautomatic high speed equipment.

'It is a still further object of this invention to provide a package forfragile articles which is of a size and shape that is convenient tohandle, carry, or store on a shelf.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a receptaclefor fragile articles wherein regardless of the number of articlesdisposed within the receptacle, said articles will be protected againstsliding or rattle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a receptaclewhich is of simple, yet sturdy construction, is inexpensive to produce,and is effective in operation.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawing and appended claims.

Summary 0 the invention In accordance with one embodiment of thisinvention, a molded receptacle is provided for accommodating a pluralityof fragile articles. The receptacle includes an elongated bottom sectionhaving an article-accommodating cavity formed therein and an elongatedtop section having a peripheral segment thereof integral and foldablyconnected to a corresponding p ripheral segment of the bottom section.The top section is adapted to overlie the bottom section and is providedwith an article-accommo- 3,400,8 73 Patented Sept. 10, 1968 datingcavity which is complemental and in registration with the cavity in saidbottom section. The receptacle, when the top section thereof overliesthe bottom section, may be slidably positioned within an outer carton.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should bemade to the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved pack age for fragilearticles showing the receptacle disposed within an outer carton;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one form of theimproved receptacle with the top section in a fully open position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the receptacle shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 with thetop section thereof overlying the bottom section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the opposite end of thepackage shown in FIG. 1 and. with the outer carton removed;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 5 of a modifiedform of receptacle;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the receptacle of FIG. 6 andshowing the top section in a fully open position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the receptacle shown inFIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 4 but of the modified receptacle shown in FIG.6.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, animproved package 10 is shown for use in packaging fragile articles 11,which in the: illustrated embodiment are ice cream cones of theconventional edible variety. The cones when packaged within theillustrated package 10 are nested in two stacks A and B; the number ofcones in a stack may vary from 6 to 36 depending upon the quantitypurchased.

Package 10 includes an outer folding carton 12 of appropriate size andshape, and a receptacle 13 formed preferably of molded pulp material ofsubstantially uniform thickness. It is to be noted, however, that thereceptacle may be formed from various other types of material such asexpanded polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like, withoutdeparting from this invention. The method of forming the receptacle mayvary from pulp molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, to injectionmolding, and will depend upon the type of material being used.

The interior dimension and shape of carton 12 are such that it willslidably, yet snugly, envelop the receptacle. The front and back walls12a, the narrower side walls 12b, and the end walls 12c of the carton 12are of sufficient area to permit attractive printing thereon and inaddition provide stability for the package whether it is resting on itsside or end wall.

The receptacle 13, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, includes a bottom section 14,a top section 15, and an end panel 16, which separates the two sectionsand is foldably connected to adjoining ends thereof' In the illustratedembodiment sections 14 and 15 are of like configuration; however, thisis not essential.

Bottom section 14 comprises a pair of elongated cavities 17 and 18 whichare adapted to subtend and partially accommodate stacks of cones A andB. The longitudinal axes of cavities 17 and 18 are substantiallyparallel to the planes of the carton side walls 12a. The end of eachcavity, which is adjacent panel 16, terminates short of the foldlineconnection 20 between bottom section 14 and panel 16. The opposite endof each cavity, on the other hand, is enlarged and is exposed when thetop section is folded into overlying relation with respect to the bottomsection, see FIG. 4.

In FIG. 2 it will be noted that each cavity has a substantial portionthereof which is tapered toward the closed end. The taper, in thisinstance, conforms to an appreciable extent to the taper of the lowerpart of the ice cream cone. At the enlarged end of each cavity there isprovided a protuberance 21 which projects upwardly a slight amount andthus prevents the end cone from accidently falling out the end of thereceptacle when the top section is in overlying relation. Theprotuberance 21 may, if desired, be hollow and collapsed by fingerpressure, so as to enable the articles 11 to be individually withdrawnendwise from the receptacle 13 without necessitating the latter beingfirst removed from the outer carton 12.

Both cavities 17 tnd 18 are spaced inwardly of the elongated peripheraledge of the section so that an elongated relatively narrow shoulder 22is formed along each side. The adjacent inner sides of the cavities areseparated by a center elongated ridge 23. The extent of projection, orheight, of ridge 23 is greater than shoulder 22, so that when topsection 15 is in overlying position, the ridges 23 of the two sectionswill abut one another, see FIGS. 1 and 4.

It is to be noted that as shoulders 22 approach the foldably connectedend of the sections, the height of the shoulders increases, so thatcorresponding shoulders of the sections in the vicinity of panel 16 willabut one another, see FIG. 1.

The cavities of the top section 15 will be aligned and in invertedsuperposed relation with the corresponding cavities of the bottomsection 14, when top section 15 overlies the bottom section. Thus, thecorresponding aligned cavities cooperate to form a tube-like compartmentfor the stack of cones A or B. By reason of the shoulders 22 beingrelatively short, adjacent the open end of the tube-like compartment, anelongated void or space C is created whereby the number of conesremaining in the compartment can be visually ascertained when thereceptacle 13 is pulled out of the carton 12. On the other hand, if theside walls 12b of the carton are provided with windows, not shown,removal of the receptacle from the carton would not be required in orderto determine the number of accommodated cones 11 in a compartment.

The peripheral edge of both sections 14 and 15 terminate in a continuousledge or lip 24 thereby providing added stiffness to the periphery ofeach section. When the receptacle 13 is disposed within carton 12, theledges 24 of the sections 14 and 15 will engage the front and back walls12a.

It is to be noted in FIG. 4 that the depth of each cavity 17 and 18,taken from a reference plane including the top of ridge 23, is less thanthe distance of the ledge or lip 24 from said reference plane. Thus,when the receptacle 13 is disposed within carton 12, the underside ofeach cavity is spaced from the back or front wall 12a of the carton. Ina like manner, by reason of shoulders 22, the outer edges of thecavities are spaced from the side walls 12b of the carton, therefore thetube-like compartments are suspended, so to speak, between the walls ofthe carton so that the shock from a blow struck on the exterior of thecarton will be dampened by the carton and the ledge 24 of the receptacleso as not to damage the accommodated articles 11.

As further protection for the closed end of each cavity, panel 16 is ofsuch dimension that it spans the distances between the side wall andbetween the top and bottom walls of the carton. To provide addedstiffness for panel 16, the exposed side thereof is concave. Two spacedapertures 25 may be formed in the concave surface of the panel 16. Theapertures are aligned with the otherwise closed ends of the cavitie andthus, provide a small passageway for each cavity whereby the closed endof the bottom cone in a stack will not abut the receptacle. Also, theapertures 25 permit cones 11 having closed ends of varied configurationto be readily accommodated Within the formed tube-like compartment.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a modified form of receptacle 26, which includes abottom section 27 and a top section 28. Sections 27 and 28 are shown asbeing of like configuration, however, this is not essential in thepracticing of the disclosed invention. Sections 27 and 28 are madeintegral with one another by a double-hinge foldline 30, see FIG. 7, andtherefore an intermediate panel such as 16 in receptacle 13 is omitted.

It will be noted in FIG. 8 that end faces 31 of the sections 27 and 28are disposed in parallel planes which, when the receptacle 26 ispositioned within carton 12, form a plane which is substantiallyparallel with the end wall 12c of the carton. Each of sections 27 and 28comprises a pair of elongated cavities 32 and 33 which closely resemblethe shape of cavities 17 and 18 of sections 14 and 15 previouslydescribed. The principal difference in configuration between cavities32-33 and 17-18 is that a transversely disposed hollow rib 34 is formedin sections 27 and 28. Rib 34 in each instance extends across the widthof the section and the ends thereof terminate at inclined sides 35 ofeach section, see FIG. 6. The rib 34 is preferably spaced a substantialdistance from foldline connection 30. The function of rib 34 is toincrease the stiffness of each section. If desired, however, reinforcingrib 34 may be omitted.

In either receptacle 13 or 26 by having a pair of elongated parallelcavities in each section thereof, two relatively short tube-likecompartments are formed, thereby resulting in the outer carton 12 to beused therewith, having a more conventional rectangular shape than anelongated narrow carton as was previously used.

In loading either of the aforedescribed receptacles with automaticallyoperated equipment, the sections thereof are arranged in a manner asshown in FIGS. 2 and 7 whereby the cavities formed in the bottom section14 or 27 will be exposed. The receptacle in such a position is thenmoved by conveyor past a load station where two stacks of nestedarticles (cones) of proper overall length are placed into the respectivecavities with the open ends of the cones facing away from the hinged orfoldably connected end of the section. Once the stacks of articles areproperly disposed in the cavities, the top section is then plowed intooverlying relation with the bottom section. With the section of thereceptacle in a closed position with respect to the accommodatedarticles, the receptacle can be loaded endwise through the open end of aset up carton closed at one end. In the endwise loading of the carton,the open end of the receptacle will be disposed adjacent the end of thecarton which will be opened when the articles are to be dispensed.

In instances where an overwrap is to be substituted for a carton, theoverwrap will be brought into enveloping relation with the receptacleafter is has assumed its closed position. Furthermore, where thearticles are to be consumed or used shortly after being packed in thereceptacle, both an overwrap or carton might be omitted; however, whereedible articles, not individually wrapped, are involved, the overwrap orcarton will be used to ensure the purity of the product.

The present invention has heretofore been described with regard to icecream cones or the like; however, the invention is not limited theretoas other articles such as Christmas tree ornaments, light bulbs, etc.,may be accommodated in the receptacles. In such a situation, however,the cavities formed in the sections may vary in size, shape, and number.

Thus, it will be seen that a package for fragile articles has beenprovided which is simple in construction, inexpensive to produce, and ishighly effective in providing protection for a plurality of articles.The improved package enables individual articles to be removed therefromwhile the remaining articles are held in proper position within thepackage.

While several embodiments have heretofore been described, the inventionis not intended to be limited thereto as further modifications may bemade and it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover any suchmodifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. A molded receptacle for a fragile product, comprising a pair ofhingedly connected complemental sections, said sections being movablebetween an open and a closed position, when in said closed position,being in inverted superposed relation for accommodating therebetween thefragile product, and when in said open position, having the complementalsections disposed in side-by-side relation for resting on a commonplane; each section, when disposed in said open position, including apanel provided with a recessed product-accommodating portion dependingtowards said common plane, and substantially continuous peripheralflange means extending downwardly and outwardly from the periphery ofsaid panel whereby the lowermost portion of said flange means terminatesat said common plane and positions said panel and the recessed portionthereof in elevated spaced relation with respect to said plane, thepanels of said sections being in adjacent registered relation when saidsections are in said closed position.

2. The receptacle of claim 1 including an end panel hingedly connectedat opposite peripheral portions to segments of the flange means of saidsections, said end panel being disposed intermediate said sections whenthe latter are disposed in said second open position.

3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein corresponding areas of said panelsoutside of said recessed product-accommodating portions are in abuttingrelation when said sections are disposed in said closed position.

4. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein there is provided a protuberancewhich projects partially into the recessed product-accommodating portionof each of said complemental sections at the end thereof opposite saidhinge connection to prevent the product from accidentally falling out ofthe end of the receptacle when the sections are in closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,020,454 11/1935 Bisbee et a1.21721 2,750,028 6/1956 Bode et al 229-2.5 2,990,945 7/ 1961 Smith 2222.5X

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

